Data center growth raises concerns for Kentucky’s horse farms
Kentucky's data center growth is causing concern among the state's Thoroughbred industry and horse farm owners, particularly in Fayette County and Lexington, who worry about the impact on agricultural land. Concerns include land loss, light, and noise pollution affecting horses. Lexington currently has a moratorium on data center development in effect.
New data center development is gaining momentum across Kentucky, but it's sparking significant concerns among horse farm owners and leaders in the Thoroughbred industry, particularly in Fayette County. These stakeholders are focused on protecting the state's signature farmland, which they fear could be irrevocably replaced by massive, high-energy data centers. Chauncey Morris with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association emphasized the critical importance of preserving farmland, regardless of whether it's for raising horses or food.
Concerns extend beyond just the loss of land. Farm owners, such as Ocampo, worry that the light and noise pollution from large data centers could negatively impact horses' ability to breed and their overall health, citing that horses do not deal well with stress. While acknowledging that data centers are becoming part of Kentucky's future and that the Thoroughbred industry itself utilizes technology like AI, there's a sense of entering uncharted territory with many unknown effects.
Morris highlighted that Kentucky can embrace new technology without sacrificing its landscape, pointing to Lexington's existing Urban Service Boundary as a guide for development and land preservation. Policymakers are being engaged to ensure minimal impact on the Thoroughbred industry. The city of Lexington currently has a moratorium on data center development, which remains in effect, indicating ongoing efforts to manage this growth.